Chargers Daily Links: Chargers continue to grade high despite close losses

For the second time this season, the Chargers took a team that many had already declared as one of the best in the NFL to the brink, in a matchup that those same people probably didn’t give the Bolts much of a chance to win.

In fact, they probably should have won that game, and their tilt with the Chiefs, but we can only cling to those thoughts for so long. Reality is what is it.

But despite another close loss, the Chargers are still being viewed as one of the more entertaining squads in the league. After each of the past three losses, the praise has continued to shower over Justin Herbert and his — pun intended — electric play. Even with the blown lead and defensive meltdown, CBS Sports NFL analysts John Breech still graded them at a “B” in Week 4.

Here’s what he had to say:

“Justin Herbert was fantastic again. Los Angeles used a lot of play action to get him mobile and create passing lanes, and that paid off as he threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns. He made some elite NFL quarterback throws, which is remarkable considering he is often throwing off his back foot. The Chargers have publicly backed Tyrod Taylor as the starting quarterback when he returns from injury, but it is difficult justifying the removal of Herbert. Joey Bosa got to Tom Brady a few times but was never able to deliver the game-changing moment.”

It was, without a doubt, the best performance of Herbert’s young career. And yeah, yeah, it was just his third game so the hyperbole is irrelevant but it doesn’t change the fact he threw three touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the league, which he paired with only five incompletions on the whole day. It was seriously so impressive that people around the entire NFL are finding it hard not to go out of their way to compliment the rookie.

He’s got one more tough test before the schedule becomes much lighter from Week 7 through 9 when they face the Jets, Dolphins, and Jaguars — two of which are at home in SoFi Stadium.

Plus, this week is in primetime, so you never know what’s going to happen.

And now here are today’s links.

Chargers News:

Hayley Elwood takes a closer look at Tyron Johnson’s NFL debut (Chargers.com)

Jason Reed lists the three most-disappointing players from Sunday’s loss (Bolt Beat)

Gavino Borquez discusses the high praise of Justin Herbert by both Bruce Arians and Tom Brady (Chargers Wire)

Check out the best photos from this week’s game (Chargers.com)

NFL News:

NFL Nation put together their Week 5 power rankings (ESPN)

Titans once again had zero positives on Tuesday morning (ESPN)

Bleacher Report’s Week 5 power rankings (Bleacher Report)

Brent Sobleski discusses the Packers’ elite supporting cast (Bleacher Report)

Falcons HC Dan Quinn is confused and frustrated with his team’s 0-4 start (Pro Football Talk)

Will Brinson goes inside the firing of Bill O’Brien (CBS Sports)